Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has expressed his desire to fight again before the end of 2024, aiming to climb back to the top of the sport. The Nigerian-born fighter recently dropped out of the UFC pound-for-pound rankings for the first time in five years, following back-to-back losses.
Adesanya’s slide down the rankings began with his submission defeat to South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, where he failed to reclaim the middleweight title. This marked his second consecutive loss, having previously been upset by Sean Strickland, a defeat that cost him his championship belt.
Despite these setbacks, Israel Adesanya remains optimistic about his career. Speaking in a recent interview, he hinted at his comeback plans. “Right now, after I just fought him (Du Plessis), I don’t think it’s going to be immediately. I’d rather just fight—not really for the belt, just fight for fighting’s sake. I want to fight one more time before the end of this year or early next year,” said the 35-year-old.
Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman, has also suggested a 2024 return, noting that the fighter remains active, regularly training with his City Kickboxing teammates.
Adesanya’s immediate focus seems to be on regaining his form, rather than chasing a title fight. He has shown interest in the upcoming middleweight matchups, particularly a potential clash between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, and the bout between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.
As Israel Adesanya prepares for his next move, the middleweight division continues to evolve. Fighters like Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira now occupy top spots in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, with Aljamain Sterling replacing Adesanya on the list.
